The PlayStation 5 is undeniably a remarkable console. However, if you were among the fortunate bunch who managed to secure one, you’ve likely encountered a minor setback regarding storage capacity. In today’s gaming landscape, where game sizes have ballooned, the PS5’s 825GB SSD falls disappointingly short. Consequently, many avid gamers find themselves stuck in a constant cycle of deleting older games to make room for newer ones.
While Sony allows PS5 games to be stored on an external HDD, the caveat is that they cannot be played unless transferred back to the console itself. Frankly, constantly shuttling games back and forth between storage devices is a chore that no gamer should endure. The alternative, fortunately, lies in investing in a compatible SSD and effortlessly enjoying games directly from the expanded storage.
Thankfully, the PS5 offers an upgrade pathway through supported M.2 SSDs, empowering users to expand their storage by up to a whopping 4TB. Sony has thoughtfully provided guidelines on which SSDs can be used, with essential requirements being that the SSD must be 4TB or less and fitted with a heat sink, which can be purchased separately if necessary.
To assist you in navigating the world of PS5 SSDs and make an informed decision that suits your budget and preferences, we have meticulously curated a list of the top 8 SSDs for your PS5. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the realm of expanded storage possibilities for your gaming adventures.
TL;DR: Best SSD's for PS5
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
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(Image credit: Corsair)
Capacity: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB; 4TB
Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4
Connector: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,100MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,800MB/s
For just around $85 the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX SSD allows you to expand your PS5 storage capacity while delivering exceptional speeds. Its PCIe Gen4 x4 interface and NVMe 1.4 technology ensure maximum bandwidth utilization, resulting in blazing-fast sequential read speeds of up to 7,100MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,800MB/s. This means reduced game loading times and seamless gameplay transitions.
Corsair has gone above and beyond to optimize the MP600 Pro LPX for the PS5. It surpasses all Sony PS5 M.2 performance requirements, ensuring that large game files load faster than ever before.
To maintain optimal performance, the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX comes with a pre-installed low-profile aluminum heat spreader. This innovative design effectively dissipates heat, reducing the risk of thermal throttling and allowing the SSD to sustain high performance during extended gaming sessions.
2. Crucial P5 Plus
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(Image credit: Crucial)
Capacity: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB
Interface: PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Connector: M.2 (2280)
Max Sequential Read: Up to 6,600MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 5,000MB/s
This $70 SSD harnesses the power of PCIe 4.0 NVMe technology, delivering lightning-fast performance that will leave you in awe. With sequential read speeds of up to 6600MB/s and write speeds of 5,000MB/s, this SSD ensures that your games load swiftly and smoothly, allowing you to immerse yourself in the gaming world without interruption.
Engineered specifically for gamers who demand nothing but the best, the Crucial P5 Plus SSD seamlessly integrates with the PS5, enhancing its performance to unparalleled levels.
The Crucial P5 Plus SSD is designed to be compatible with the PS5 with a 2280 length M.2 SSD form factor. This means you can easily install and upgrade your storage without any compatibility concerns. With its streamlined design, the SSD effortlessly fits into your PS5, maximizing its storage capacity.
3. WD Black SN850X
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(Image credit: Western Digital)
Capacity: 1TB; 2TB; 4TB
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,300MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,300MB/s
At around $100, this SSD provides mind-blowing speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s, the WD Black SN850X SSD offers top-level performance that takes your gaming to new heights. That includes radically short load times. Whether you’re launching games, loading levels, or accessing in-game content, the SN850X ensures lightning-fast responsiveness, keeping you in the game without any delays.
Gaming enthusiasts understand the struggle of managing limited storage space. The WD Black SN850X SSD comes in a range of capacities from 1TB to 4TB, allowing you to keep more of today’s games that can easily take up 200GB or more of storage. The frustration of uninstalling games to make room for new ones will be over. With the SN850X, you have the freedom to store your entire gaming library without compromise.
4. Samsung 990 Pro
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(Image credit: Samsung)
Capacity: 1TB; 2TB
Interface: M.2
Form Factor: M.2 (2280)
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,450MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,900MB/s
Coming in at around $120, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD outperforms its predecessor, the 980 Pro, with even faster random read/write speeds. Enjoy a 40% increase in random read speeds and a 55% increase in random write speeds, enabling snappier responsiveness and smoother gameplay. With up to 1400K/1550K IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second), you’ll experience near-instantaneous access to your game data. The sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s approach the maximum performance achievable with PCIe 4.0, ensuring minimal loading times and rapid data transfer.
Samsung’s 990 Pro SSD incorporates the company’s own nickel-coated controller, delivering effective thermal control. This innovative design dissipates heat efficiently, preventing overheating and maintaining consistent performance. With its slim size, the SSD fits seamlessly into your PS5 setup, ensuring hassle-free installation and compatibility.
5. Samsung 980 Pro
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(Image credit: Samsung)
Capacity: 1TB; 2TB
Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 1.3c
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,000MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 5,100MB/s
Powered by an in-house controller, the Samsung 980 Pro SSD is priced around $100 and delivers exceptional speed and performance. The PCIe 4.0 interface is 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 SSDs. This means you can expect reduced loading times, allowing you to jump into your games quickly and seamlessly.
The Samsung 980 Pro SSD is designed to handle heavy-duty applications and demanding workloads. With sustained high-performance bandwidth and throughput, this SSD ensures a fully immersive gameplay experience.
Additionally, the Samsung 980 Pro SSD utilizes the company’s nickel-coated high-end controller, providing effective thermal control for the NAND chip. With the added heatsink, you can enjoy uninterrupted performance PS5 gaming consoles without worrying about performance drops due to overheating.
6. Seagate FireCuda 530
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(Image credit: Seagate)
Capacity: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB, 4TB
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,300MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,900MB/s
The Seagate FireCuda 530 SSD has exhilarating speeds of up to 7300MB/s for just around $120. This SSD harnesses the full power of PCIe Gen4 speeds, enabling you to conquer next-generation games and applications with ease. Embrace the seamless experience provided by the FireCuda 530.
As one of the fastest FireCuda SSDs ever built, the FireCuda 530 offers sustained, pro-level gaming performance. You can expect lightning-fast data transfers and reduced wait times, enhancing your gaming.
To ensure peak performance even during extended usage, the Seagate FireCuda 530 comes equipped with a custom-built low-profile heatsink designed by EKWB and Seagate. This heatsink minimizes thermal throttling and helps maintain optimal temperatures, allowing you to enjoy sustained high performance for longer periods of time.
7. Adata Legend 960
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(Image credit: ADATA)
Capacity: 1TB; 2TB; 4TB
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 6,400MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,800MB/s
The ADATA Legend 960 SSD delivers outstanding read and write performance for around $130, reaching speeds of up to 6,400/6,800 MB per second respectively.
To maintain optimal performance and stability, the ADATA Legend 960 SSD is equipped with a heat sink. This heat sink effectively dissipates heat, keeping the SSD cool even during intense gaming sessions. By preventing overheating, the heat sink ensures consistent performance and reliability, allowing you to game with confidence.
When it comes to reliability and durability, ADATA doesn’t compromise. The Legend series SSDs, including the Legend 960, utilize only high-quality ICs that have undergone rigorous testing. This ensures that you’re getting a storage solution that is built to last and performs consistently over time. You can trust that the Legend 960 SSD will meet the demands of your gaming sessions and provide long-lasting performance.
8. Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus
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(Image credit: Sabrent)
Capacity: 500GB; 1TB; 2TB; 4TB; 8TB
Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
Form Factor: M.2 2280
Max Sequential Read: Up to 7,000MB/s
Max Sequential Write: Up to 6,850MB/s
The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD utilizes the NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, making it PCIe 4.0 compliant and NVMe 1.3 compliant. This $100 SSD can harness the full power of PCIe Gen4 speeds, delivering unparalleled performance and lightning-fast data transfer rates.
The Rocket 4 Plus SSD boasts wide flash compatibility, utilizing TLC (Triple-Level Cell) with DRAM. This combination ensures high-speed data transfers, increased storage capacity, and reliable performance. Whether you’re installing games, storing multimedia files, or running demanding applications, the Rocket 4 Plus SSD delivers the speed and capacity you need.
It’s important to note that the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus SSD does not come bundled with a heatsink and must be purchased separately.